The Anti-Boyfriend

A single mother living in an apartment with thin walls is initially frustrated by her neighbor Deacon, who frequently brings women over. When her infant daughter Sunny cries one night, Deacon's presence mysteriously calms her, and the baby falls asleep in his arms. Despite his reputation, he proves gentle with children. The two become friends, spending time together over coffee and conversation. Their connection deepens over time until they cross the line from friendship into something more complicated. The narrator realizes she has fallen for someone who has explicitly rejected commitment and parenthood—someone she calls the "anti-boyfriend." Even though Deacon appears to be developing feelings for her as well, she knows he never planned for a woman and child to be part of his life. She finds herself wishing she could be the one person capable of changing his mind about the future he's always envisioned for himself.